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LAMINGTON

Lamington is a region of rainforest and eucalpyt forest in the high country behind Queensland's Gold Coast. Situated around 3000', the mountains, plateaus, valleys, forests and wildlife make this an exceptional destination for those interested in wildlife and nature. An extensive National Park and two nature lodges, perhaps the longest running in Australia, make access and exploration simple, and there's even daily buses from Brisbane or the Gold Coast to get there. If wildlife, birds and natural history are on your Australia must-see list, then make sure Lamington is part of your visit.

Lamington National Park is an easy and interesting 2-hour drive inland from Brisbane, and a little shorter from the Gold Coast. Travel is from the coast through farming communities and small towns rising up through the hinterland and into Australia's Great Dividing Range (which actually just divides the immediate east coast from the rest of Australia). There are two access roads, one of which ends at Lamington National Park campground and Information Centre, and O'Reillys Rainforest Guesthouse, established officially in 1930 but welcoming guests since 1914. O'Reillys in fact predates the Park and spurred its declaration. The other route is a little to the south, and ends at Binna Burra Lodge. There is no road connecting these two parts, but there is a walking track between them.

While Binna Burra is more rustic than O'Reilly's, both offer naturalist guided tours, beautiful scenery, outdoor activities and a lot of accessible wildlife. Each month in November O'Reillys hosts a Bird Week, attracting experts and beginners alike from around Australia and overseas. Binna Burra has several programs of orienteering, abseiling (rapelling) and similar outdoor sports.

If you prefer, camping is available at the National Park campground and at Binna Burra.